What causes aphasia, the brain condition that has Bruce Willis stepping away from acting

Actor’s daughter announced his diagnosis on Wednesday

In this Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, file photo, Bruce Willis attends the "Motherless Brooklyn" premiere during the 57th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) (Charles Sykes, 2019 Invision)

On Wednesday, much of the world began googling the word “aphasia” after learning of Bruce Willis’ diagnosis.

The 67-year-old actor’s daughter took to Instagram to announce that her father, “is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

Recommended Videos



Aphasia is a condition that affects your ability to communicate, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It effects not just reading and writing, but also listening skills, as the ability to understand both spoken and written language is impacted.

The Mayo Clinic says that the condition typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury; however, it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative).

The most common cause, according to the Mayo Clinic, is brain damage from a stroke, as the loss of blood to the brain leads to brain cell death or damage in areas that control language.

When it comes to treatment, the Mayo Clinic explains that some may recover language skills without treatment; however, most people undergo speech and language therapy.